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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 17th, 2024–Feb 18th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Glacier.

Recent moderate to strong NE winds have transported snow into slopes that aren't typically loaded.

Even though the hazard is low, you could still find small avalanches in isolated spots.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, many point releases were triggered by the sun and rising freezing levels.

A few large natural avalanches from the steep terrain on Mt. MacDonald were observed Wednesday and Thursday.

There were two reported skier triggered avalanches recently. One on Terminal Pk and the other in the Connaught drainage. They were both slabs within the recent storm snow that ran approximately 150 meters.

Snowpack Summary

Strong NE winds Thursday redistributed the 20-40cms of low density snow we'd been enjoying.

A buried crust (widespread below 2500m), sits under windslabs in lees, and has been stripped of snow on ridges.

Warm temps have strengthened the mid and lower snowpack. Except in the high alpine, where the snowpack remains unusally shallow and weak.

Travel remains rugged below treeline, with a variety of firm crusts, frozen avalanche debris, and shallow snowpack hazards.

Weather Summary

The ridge of high pressure moves inland bringing a fairly benign low with light snow on Tuesday.

Tonight: Mostly clear. Alpine low -5°C. Light ridgetop winds.

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high -4°C. Light SE wind. Freezing level (FZL) 1600m.

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high -3°C. Light SE wind. Freezing level (FZL) 1700m.

Tues: 10cm. Low -5°C, High -3°C. Light SE wind. FZL 1600m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Avoid being on or under sun exposed slopes.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.